Decoded: How Ayushman Bharat Becomes Bigger

New Delhi: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) — the world’s largest health insurance scheme — has added another feather to its cap with free health coverage to all senior citizens above the age of 70 in the country. In a significant move, the Union Cabinet this week approved a major expansion of the AB PM-JAY to provide health coverage to all older adults aged 70 and above, regardless of their income. The move comes as India’s elderly population is projected to double by 2050, and will increase the demand for geriatric care. By 2050, one in five people in India is expected to be elderly.

Also Read: Experts Hail Government’s Move To Provide Health Coverage To All Senior Citizens Above 70

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said,

This expansion is set to benefit around 4.5 crore families, including 6 crore senior citizens, by providing them with free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family. With this approval, every senior citizen in this age group will have access to the scheme’s benefits, regardless of their socio-economic status.

With the scheme senior citizens above 70 can avail of a new distinct card, top-up coverage, and family coverage. They will also get a choice of schemes, and also eligibility with private insurance.

The new card will enable the elderly to avail the new scheme with ease.

The new scheme is in addition to the existing AB PM-JAY family scheme, wherein the elderly will have a separate cover of Rs 5 lakh per year.

The ministry said,

Senior citizens within families already covered by AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year. This top-up will be for them, and they will not have to share it with other family members under the age of 70.

In the case where senior citizens are not part of an existing AB PM-JAY, “family coverage will be provided with a cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis”.

Further, the new scheme also offers the elderly flexibility to opt for other public health insurance schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) or AB PM-JAY.

Importantly, older adults who are covered by private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are also eligible to benefit from AB PM-JAY, the ministry said.

Launched in 2018, AB PM-JAY has seamlessly integrated comprehensive care across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels to provide universal health coverage, particularly for rural and vulnerable populations.

The landmark health initiative not only addresses immediate health needs but also emphasises preventive care and health promotion, making healthcare more accessible and equitable.

Ayushman Bharat is a “comprehensive approach” towards a “more inclusive and efficient healthcare system”, the ministry said. It added,

It is set to further transform India’s health sector by expanding access to quality healthcare services, reducing the financial burden on families, and improving overall health outcomes.

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh Becomes First State To Generate One Crore Tokens Through ABHA ID

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.